Oregon Army National Guard crews rescued two victims of a plane crash late this morning from the site of a downed small airplane about ten miles west of Odell Lake. Two unidentified men were hoisted aboard a Blackhawk helicopter and flown to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.
About 7 p.m. Sunday evening, March 5, a report was made concerning a possible plane crash near Davis Lake in Klamath County. Oregon State Police (OSP) and ... [full story]

Dems lead House to approve time-out for legislators who become lobbyists; bill now moves to SenateSALEM--House Democrats led the Oregon House today to approve, 38-22, a bill that prevents former legislators from lobbying the Oregon State Legislature for one full legislative session after their terms expire. Oregon already has such limitations in place for the State Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and other officials in key regulatory departments.
"We are elected to represent the public and should ... [full story]

The national average gas price rose another 12-cents in the past week to $2.49. That's an increase of thirty-one and a half cents in the last month. During the same time period, Oregon's statewide average price climbed nine cents to $2.61, an 18-cent per gallon gain in a month.
Energy analysts attribute the early and rapid surge in prices to strong oil prices, unusually high consumer demand, and the switch from winter grade fuel to cleaner ... [full story]

Security Training and Whistleblower Protections Will Aid Workers
WASHINGTON - A Teamsters Rail Conference official testified before the House Homeland Security Committee today in support of the Rail and Transit Security Act of 2007, H.R. 1269. Edward Rodzwicz, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference, said the act's provisions are of particular importance to union members, including training and whistleblower protections.
"Rail labor has taken every opportunity since 9/11 to advocate for strong security legislation for ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - Kenneth N. Harvey, 51, and Michael G. Kronstein, 45, were sentenced today in Charlottesville, Va., for their involvement in a bribery and honest services wire fraud scheme, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today.
U.S. District Judge Norman K. Moon for the Western District of Virginia sentenced Kronstein and Harvey to 70 months and 72 months in prison, respectively. Both defendants have also been sentenced to three years ... [full story]

Indictment Charges Defendant Traveled from New York to Nebraska to Engage in Sexual Activity with a Minor
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - Suffolk County resident John Monetti, 38, a former Long Island school teacher and elementary school principal, was arrested this morning on federal charges relating to child exploitation, announced U.S. Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf for the Eastern District of New York and U.S. Attorney Joe W. Stecher for the District of Nebraska.
The complaint filed ... [full story]

An agricultural fire that escaped into a neighboring property burned two and one-half acres and a utility pole in southeast Bend this afternoon, officials reported.
Bend Fire crews were dispatched to a reported brush fire at 22324 McArdle Road just before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Fire Inspector Cindy Kettering said.
Upon arrival, firefighters found an escaped agricultural burn moving north onto a neighboring property, burning brush in fields adjacent to a residence and setting afire a ... [full story]

BOSTON - The owner and three managers of Michael Bianco, Inc. (MBI) were arrested by federal authorities this morning in connection with alleged hiring of illegal aliens. Another individual was arrested on charges that he provided fraudulent identification documents to workers at the factory, U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan of the District of Massachusetts and Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Julie L. Myers announced today.
Following the arrests, criminal ... [full story]

Mt. Bachelor, Inc. has been fined $15,700 for five violations that Oregon OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) categorized as “serious”, in connection with an accident that injured four employees as they were rigging a lift-cable on October 20 of last year.
While Kevin Weeks, OSHA’s public information officer, said he has yet to see a written appeals request from Mt. Bachelor, the company has reportedly indicated that it plans on appealing three of the five ... [full story]

The International Space Station's Expedition 14 crew continued work this week on scientific experiments, station maintenance and clean up following a Feb. 22 Russian spacewalk.An altitude reboost engine firing planned for Friday was postponed following the launch delay of Space Shuttle Atlantis earlier this week. The STS-117 mission was targeted for liftoff on March 15. The shuttle mission was put on hold following a hail storm Monday. The storm caused damage requiring repair to the ... [full story]